While children were seen lining up to take pictures with their favorite characters and enjoying the numerous rides, families had a unique and excellent opportunity to shop for specialty items and browse Muslim services at a bazaar set up on park grounds.

The Muslim call to prayer was called out within the main picnic area, and announcements were made throughout the park reminding Muslim guests of their prayer obligations during the day. Special arrangements for prayers and ablution were made by Six Flags.

The previous day, a special presentation on Islam and Muslims was given to the entire staff, including Jay Thomas, park president. The session answered several key questions and proved extremely helpful to the staff in understanding the Muslim community and providing a comfortable environment to the Muslim guests.

ICNA’s outreach project, WhyIslam?, set up a table for non-Muslim visitors to the park. Officials say nearly 500 free copies of the Qur’an and several hundred brochures were distributed during the day.

Muslim Family Day events were held in other major metropolitan areas as well. According to ICNA, Muslim attendance was close to 60,000 nationwide.

ICNA is already working on Muslim Family Day 2009, expected to be held next September.